Variable element length Beam by Ultrabeam

Content of this page

Ultrabeam Yagis are antennas, which element lengths are changed mechanically by a controller. This ensures that the antenna is always perfectly adjusted to the operating frequency. The design of the Yagi can be optimized to your location, taking height above ground and ground conductivity into regard. Did you ever try this with a conventional beam?

Ultrabeam Antenna Overview

Ultrabeam Rotary Dipole 6 – 20m

– boom length

11m max. element length

1 element, driven

No truss

WiMo Order No. 12200.01

Ultrabeam 2-Element Yagi 6 – 20m

1.62m boom length

11m max. element length

2 elements, one driven

Square boom 60x60mm

No truss

WiMo Order No. 12200.2

Ultrabeam 3-Element Yagi 6 – 20m

4.85m boom length

11m max. element length

3 elements, one driven

Square boom 60x60mm

No truss

WiMo Order No. 12200.3

Ultrabeam 4-Element Yagi 6 – 20m

9.7m boom length

11m max. element length

4 elements, one driven

Square boom 60x60mm

With truss for boom

WiMo Order No. 12200.4

Ultrabeam 4-Element Yagi 6 – 20m 'DX'

6.3m boom length

11m max. element length

4 elements on 10-15m

3 elements on 17-20m, je one driven

Square boom 60x60mm

WiMo Order No. 12218.4

Ultrabeam 6-Element Yagi 6 – 20m 'DX'

11.3m boom length

11m max. element length

6 elements on 10-15m

4 elements on 17-20m, one driven per configuration

Square boom 80x80mm

WiMo Order No. 12218.6

Ultrabeam UB-20MX 6 – 20m

2.9m boom length

7m max. element length

3 elements on 6-15m

2 elements Moxon on 17-20m

Square boom 60x60mm

WiMo Order No. 12212

Ultrabeam 2-Element Yagi 6 – 40m

1.62m boom length

11m max. element length

2 elements fullsize on 6–20m

Rotary dipole on 30 and 40m

Square boom 60x60mm

No truss

WiMo Order No. 12210.2

Ultrabeam UB-50 3-Element Yagi 6 – 40m

5.3m boom length

10.6m max. element length

3 elements fullsize on 6–20m

Rotary dipole on 30 and 40m

Square boom 60x60mm

No truss, optional truss kit available

WiMo Order No. 12215

Ultrabeam UB-40MX 6 – 40m

5.5m boom length

15m max. element length

3 elements on 30-6m

2 elements Moxon on 40m

Square boom 80x80mm

WiMo Order No. 12214

Ultrabeam UB640-VL1.1 6 – 40m

– boom length

11m max. element length

1 element fullsize on 6–20m

1 element folded 30 & 40m

WiMo Order No. 12220.VL1.1

Ultrabeam UB640-VL1.3 6 – 40m

4.9m boom length

11m max. element length

3 elements fullsize on 6–20m

1 element folded 30 & 40m

Square boom 60x60mm

WiMo Order No. 12220.VL1.3

Ultrabeam UB640-VL2.3 6 – 40m

4.5m boom length

11m max. element length

3 elements fullsize on 6–20m

2 elements folded 30 & 40m

Square boom 60x60mm

WiMo Order No. 12220.VL2.3

Ultrabeam 3-Element Yagi 6 – 40m

4.85m boom length

21.5m max. element length

3 elements, two driven, with switching relay

Square boom 80x80mm

No truss on boom

With truss on elements

WiMo Order No. 12210.3

Ultrabeam 4-Element Yagi 6 – 40m

9.7m boom length

21.5m max. element length

4 elements, two driven, with switching relay

Square boom 80x80mm

With truss for boom

With truss for elements

WiMo Order No. 12210.4

The Classics for 6 to 20m

Ultrabeam 6–20 Yagis

The classical shortwave antennas by Ultrabeam: starting with the rotary dipole up to the 6 element Yai antenna for all bands from 6 to 20m. Perfekt for the DX bands 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6m, for example when you use wire antenna for the longer bands. Even with just the dipole you have a perfect radiator because of the matched length of the antenna. The larger Yagis usually have a better gain or a better front/back ratio due to the correct length of the elements than a traditoonal trap beam. The helps eliminating QRM and reach that rare DX station. Despite the better values these beams are only slightly larger than beams with shortened trap elements.

The mechanical quality is very high - as with all Ultrabeam antennas. The motor units (EHU) are mounted on solid steel plates which also support the elements, and protect them from mechanical stress. The antennas with multiple elements are always using a square aluminium boom, sized 60x60 mm with the 2 to 4 element beams, and 80 x 80 mm for the large e element antenna.

The 4 element yagi is supplied with a truss kit for the boom. This kit contains a support pillar, which is installed vertically on the boom, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom.

180° Direction Swap

With the push of a dedicated button the antenna reverses it's main radiation direction in less than 3 seconds. This effectively changes the director and refelctor of the antenna, on some models additionally the readiting element will be switched. This let's you test different propagation directions within a few seconds. Or quickly work that station calling from the backside during a contest, without losing time to rotate the antenna.

6m Option

For the 3 and 4 element yagi we offer an optional 6m kit. This turns the 3 element Yagi into a 5 element for 6m, the 4 element Yagi becomes a 7 element for 6m. The gain and front to back ratio is greatly improved on the 6m band. Of course you can use these antennas also on 6m without these kits. The optional 6m elements are not variable in length, they are made of conventional aluminium tubes. On the other bands these passive elements do not influence the pattern negatively.

Controller and cable included

The antennas are shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

4- and 6-Element 'DX' yagis for 6 to 20m

Ultrabeam Yagis

The 'DX' variants of the Ultrabeam antennas utilize elements of different lengths to save space and weight. For example the 4 elemen 'DX' yagi has about 10% less weight and a much shorter boom than the classic beam construction. This also reduces the windlioad, that is important for high wind areas close to the sea or on the mountains. The price for these benefits is a by 2 dB reduced gain on 17 and 20m.

The 4 element 'DX' version works on 6 to 15 m as a 4 element yagi, on 17 and 20m as a 3 element yagi. The 6 element 'DX' version uses all 6 elements from 6 to 15m, and 4 elements on 17 and 20m.

With these beams with two different element lengths, the driven element (radiator) is switched when operating on 17 and 20m. The switching relay is included with these Ultrabeam models, it is automatically engaged by the controller. This relay requires two additional wires in the control cable.

These antenna models are supplied with a truss kit for the boom. This kit contains a support pillar, which is installed vertically on the boom, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom.

Controller and cable included

The antennas are shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

Ultrabeam UB-20MX for 6 – 20m

Ultrabeam UB-20MX

This is the smallest Ultrabeam antenna manufactured by WiMo. The UB-20MX is a very compact antenna solution for the bands from 6 to 20m. The antenna is only 2.9m long, the max. width is 7m and the weight only 19 kg. This is ideal for terraced house or other situation where very short antenna elements must be fitted into the available space. On 17 and 20m the UB-20MX works as a 2 element 'Moxon' antenna, on 6 to 15m as a fullsize 3 element beam. The Moxon construction still yields a respectable gain of 5.8 dBi with an excellent fron/back ratio. On the other bands this antenna is performing nearly like a traditonal 3 element beam.

For switching between the configuration as 3 element (6-15m) and 2 element beam (17 & 20m) a coaxial relay is included. This relay is automatically engaged by the controller, it requires two additional wires in the control cable.

6m Option

For this yagi we offer an optional one element 6m kit. This turns the 3 element Yagi into a 4 element for 6m. The gain and front to back ratio is improved on the 6m band. Of course you can use this antenna also on 6m without this kit. The optional 6m element is not variable in length, it is made of conventional aluminium tubes. On the other bands this passive element does not influence the pattern negatively.

Controller and cable included

The antennas are shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

Ultrabeam 2el 6-40 Yagi

Finally QRV on 30 and 40m!

A small 2 element fullsize beam for the bands from 6 to 20m, and a fullsize rotary dipole on 30 and 40m! And all that without causing too much distress for the neighbours... Ultrabeam changed the matching circuit for the driven element to achieve always a perfect 50 Ω match. This results in a high efficiency also on the 30 and 40m band. On the bands 6 to 20m this yagi achieves the same excellent results as the classic 2 element Ultrabeam.

Like the other 'large' Ultrabeam antennas, the UB-2-40 uses a square boom for high stability. And it uses the same super massive boom plates for the motor units and the elements, resulting in a superb mechanical stability. The balun of the driven element can be switched from 25 t o50 Ohm to match the configuration as rotary dipole as well as a Yagi configuration. For this reason this Ultrabeam modem requires a 10 wire control cable.

For this antenna we offer an optional truss kit for the elements. This kit contains a support pillar, which is installed vertically on the boom, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom.

Controller and cable included

This antenna is shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

The Ultrabeam UB-40MX

This antenna model is working as a fullsize 3 element Yagi on 10 to 30m, and as a 2 element fullsize Moxon beam on 40m. This is the first Ultrabeam antenna which uses the Moxon system to reduce space requirements without giving up too much performance. Despite the size reduction by about 30% this antenna has a performance comparable to a traditional two element beam for the 40m band. There is no other Yagi design with the size of a UB-40MX which would result in comparable gain and front/back parameters. The UB-40MX was developed for radio amateurs who dreamed of a 2 element beam antenna for 40m, but where a fullsize antenna was too large - up until now.

For switching between the configuration as 3 element (6-30m) and 2 element Moxon beam (40m) a coaxial relay is included. The switching relay is included, it is automatically engaged by the controller. This relay requires two additional wires in the control cable.

These antenna model is supplied with a truss kit for the elements. This kit contains a support pillar, which is installed vertically on the boom, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom.

Controller and cable included

This antenna is shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

The Ultrabeam UB-50 (12215)

The UB-50 is a very special anetnna model in the Ultrabeam range, it is a compact beam whichcovers the amateur radio bands from 6 to 40m. This antenna works as a 3 element fullsize beam on 6 to 20m. When working on 30 and 40m the two elements in front are retracted, the rear element becomes the radiator, a rotary dipole. To accomodate the length of a full size dipole for these frequencies the copper band is turned in parallel to the boom. The result is a good SWR and high efficiency nearly identical to a linear fullsize dipole. With the folded element the rotating radius is only 5.6m! The element holders of the UB-50 are reinforced to carry the added weight on the elements.

The UB-50 was designed - as all Ultrabeam antennas - for operations on shortwave. The antenna also works on 6m but not with very good properties. For 6m the element distance is too small, due to the short boom. Working the occasional QSO will be possible with the use of a tuner. Much better results are achieved with the optional 6m kit. This kit adds two passive elements for 6m, which are mounted on the boom between the existing elements. With these extra elements the UB-50 antenna has a gain of approx. 8.2 dB and 20 dB front/back ratio.

For switching between the configuration as 3 element (6-20m) and as rotary dipole (30 & 40m) a coaxial relay is included, it is automatically engaged by the controller. This relay requires two additional wires in the control cable.

For this antenna we offer an optional truss kit for the elements. This kit contains a support pillar, which is installed vertically on the boom, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom.

Controller and cable included

This antenna is shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

Ultrabeam 6-40 "VL" Yagi (12220.VLxx)

UB640 VL1-1

UB640 VL1-3

UB640 VL2-3

The Ultrabeam "VL" type antennas are vertically mounted dipole loops for one, two or three elements (VL = Vertical Loop). With this construction a compact dimension is possible without giving up much of the performance of a full size antenna. So this is an excellent compromise for space and performance. The model UB640-VL-2.3 uses a switching relay to select the driven element, the selection is done automatically by the controller. Please note that this antenna requires two additional control wires.

All "VL" dipoles are shipped with a truss kit, which should be installed for each VL dipole. This kit contains one or two vertical supports, depending on model, plus guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires to the extremities of the boom. The entire construction becomes much more solid and resilient in case of snow ond ice on the antenna. The EHUs are the same as the motor units on all other Ultrabeam antennas.

The optional 6m kit (available only for UB640-VL1.3 and UB640-VL2.3) adds two passive elements for better performance on the 6m band.

Controller and cable included

The antennas are shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

The large Ultrabeam Yagis

Here are the large yagis for people with a lot of space :) Or for the regional club, companies, diplomatic offices and other users where space requirements are not the limiting factor. Fullsize beams with two or three elements on 30 and 40 m, thee and four elements on the higher bands (20m to 6m). This results in excellent and powerful signals, even more important during times of low solar activity.

The large 3 element Yagi works as a classic fullsize 3 element beam on 6 to 20m. When working on 30 and 40m the radiating element is switched from the center element to the front, the antenna is now configured as a fullsize 2 element beam with one reflector. The required coaxial relay is included in the shipment, it is switched automatically by the controller.

The large 4 element Yagi works as a classic fullsize 4 element beam on 6 to 20m. When working on 30 and 40m the radiating element is switched from the shorter element to the long center element. The antenna is now configured as a fullsize 3 element beam with one director and one reflector. The required coaxial relay is included in the shipment, it is switched automatically by the controller.

These antenna models are supplied with a truss kit for the long elements and a truss kit for the boom. This kit contains three support pillars, which are installed vertically on the boom. For the 3 elem. beam two pillars sit at the ends of the boom and support the two long elements, the third support is placed in the center to support the boom. For the 4-elem. beam the center pillar also supprts the middle long element plus the boom. Guying ropes with all mechanical hardware required to install the guy wires is included.

Controller and cable included

The antennas are shipped with the RCU-06 controller with a a colour touch display, and 30m control cable with connectors installed ready to use. Other length see below.

The Controller

Ultrabeam Controller RCU-06

Supplied with each Ultrabeam antenna is the RCU-06 controller, whch allows easy operation of the antenna. A large, colour touch dispaly serves as main onput element for all settings. In normal configuration you select the operating band with one press, and then can move the antenna in fixed steps up and down in frequency. Much more comfortable though is the operation with a CAT interface to the transceiver. With such a data connection the antenna can follow the transceiver all the time. To include other existing devices like an amplifier the controller has a CAT output as well, which feeds the transceiver information to other connected devices.

The RCU-06 has a USB interface for PC connections. We offer a software for this controller which allows full control of the antenna from the computer, in parallel to the controller. This is not only important for remote controlled stations, but offers more convenience also for the single operator. This PC software allows to adjust the various settings, for example to adjust the antenna model to the local conditions (height above ground, soil conductivity and so on). The precise adjustment for local factors leads to a better efficiency and higher performance of the antenna.

The RCU-06 controller is also available separately, for example to retrofit an older antenna. Please note that the pin assignment on the connector has changed between the old controlelr and the RCU-06. If required we can offer an adaptor. For some transceiver brans we offer a CAT cable.

Ultrabeam and microHAM Interfaces

Due to the cooperation between UltraBeam and microHAM it is now possible for the products microHAM Micro-KEYER II, MK2R/MK2R+ and Station Master to communicate with the Ultrabeam controller in native mode. Native mode control has two advantages over control based on transceiver frequency only:

Protects the antenna while elements are moving (retuning). Transmission can not be initiated using PTT while the antenna is retuning. When using VOX or PTT over CAT, the interface will not activate PAPTT to prevent a power amplifier from operating when Ultra Beam is tuning.

When operating in split frequency mode, the transmit frequency is sent to the UltraBeam to prevent retuning between transmit and receive when operating with wide splits.

The Mechanics

The Ultrabeam antennas are characterised by an extremely robust and carfully designed construction, mechanically and electrically. Here are some details of the individual components:

Ultrabeam takes special care of the mechanical quality and solidity. When we visited the manufacturing facilities in Italy for the first time we were very impressed by the care for details and the really solid construction. For example, the developer paid particular attention to the safe transport of the Copper-Beryllium (CuBe) tape inside the tubular elements. The simple solution would have been to use just a spring in the reel to pull back the CuBe band. But Ultrabeam uses a new system called 'VRS', Variable Reeling System where the reel is driven by the stepper motor, as well as using a spring to assure a good tension. The changing diameter of the tape on the reel is compensated for by a clever mechanic system. The CuBe tape is always safe on the reel.

The tubes, in which the CuBe tape moves, are made from light fibreglass and consist of three or four segments, depending on antenna model. These segments are assembled and fastened with heat shrink materials. Since May 2010 the fibreglass tubes are made from a special, nearly transparent and lighter material. This makes the antenna optically 'lighter' and less eye-catching, the material has a better UV resistance, and you can watch the CuBe tape move in the tubes. That makes diagnosing problems much easier.

All Ultrabeam directional antennas (except the Rotary Dipole and the 2-Element antenna) come with a large system to support the element tubes. This support plate holds the Element Housing Unit (EHU) plus has very solid aliminium blocks to support the tubes. With the large 21.5m long elements the support is even larger and has two clamps for each tube on either side. This makes sure that the EHUs are not subject to bending load.

The driven elements have two contacts with a surface om 10mm², providing reliable electrical contact of the feed line. This enables the Ultrabeam to handle a maximum power of 5kW PEP or 3KW CW key-down. The EHUs are made from ABS and coated with a special, UV and weather resistant varnish. Fed elements have a PL socket (female), each EHU has a water proof socket for the 4 conductor control cable (old system) or a 4 wire cable permanently attached (new system).

The boom of all Ultrabeam antennas is made from square tubes (6086 T6 aluminium). This assures that the elements are always installed absolutely horizontal on the boom. The 4-element antennas have a double boom for extra reinforcement, resulting in even lower torsion at little additional weight. Each element and the boom are colour coded, preventing any misunderstanding when assembling the antenna. The mast plate, fixing the boom to the mast is cut from stainless steel and very solid (the plate for the 4-element antennas uses 6 mm strong material!). The boom of the 4-element antennas uses additional trusses above the boom for added rigidity. The required installation material and nylon rope is included. All mounting hardware is made from aluminium or stainless steel (except boom reinforments), with metric screw threads.

Ultrabeam Control Cable for Antennas

Control Cable with connectors

Each motor unit (EHU, Element Housing Unit) requires a 4 or 6 wire cable. 4 wires are used by the stepper motor, and in some cases two additional wires are required for a relay. This relay switches the balun configuration between 25 and 50 Ω. This is required for some antenna designs, switching is done automatically. Some antenna models require two further wires for the transfer relay which selects the radiating element. This transfer is required for some models for the rapid 180° direction exchange, or when changing the configuration per band. Again, this switching is handled automatically by the controller

WiMo supplies each Ultrabeam antenna with a ready-to-use cable with connectors attached. The price of the antenna always includes a 30m long cable, otehr cable lengths are available on request. To order a different cable length (only longer cables possible) just order the number of meters required in addition to the 30m cable. The suitable cable type is mentioned below each antenna. The supplied cable is fitted with connectors which must be connected to the EHUs and the controller. This prevents any misunderstandings when assembling a 'do it yourself' cable. The disadvantage of this system is that you have to make a larger hole in the wall to feed the cable through. If required you can cut the cable at a suitable place, feed it through a small (10 to 12mm) hole and reconnect it afterwards with the help of screw joints.

Summary of special features of Ultrabeam antennas

Ultrabeam antennas offer the following special features:

The antennas have a square boom. This fixes the elements always horizontally on the boom, even after a storm.

The newly developed VRS Variable Reeling System makes sure that the retracting force for the CuBe tape is always constant, independent of of the position of the elements.

All mounting hardware (except boom reinforcements) are made from stainless steel or aluminium and have metric sizes.

The controller have discrete transistor drivers for the stepper motors. These drivers can handle up to 10A current and are short-circuit proof and protected against errors in wiring.

Software updates for the controller are available free of cost via Internet.

The controller has a large colour LC display (touch screen) with menu oriented use. A serial CAT interface is installed with every controller.

The control wires are connected with water protected connectors to the EHUs. No more simple terminal strips.

Ready made control cables are available as an option (state required length, 30m is standard). Just plug the cable into the motor units and into the controller - and go!

Direct interface with many microHAM devices: microKEYER-II, MK2R/MK2R+ and Station Master. See below for details.